Refectory table



W. P. YOW

June 22, 1937.

REFECTORY TABLE Filed April 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 22, 1937. w.P. Yow 2,084,786

REFECTORY TABLE Filed April 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 tion 5 below themain top I.

Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STAT mitt PT HQE REFECTORY TABLE CarolinaApplication April 18, 1935, Serial No. 17,083

10 Claims.

This invention relates to refectory tables and more particularly totables of the type in which the main table top is rigidly secured to thetable frame.

The end or extension sections of such a table are normally located belowthe main. top and are usually brought into operative position by slidingthe end sections outwardly, lifting them into alinement with the maintop, and then moving them inwardly a short distance to engage some formof supporting structure. Such constructions are open to the objectionthat an extension section may be inadvertently moved outwardly to clearthe supporting structure, thus permitting it to drop below the level ofthe table top. Furthermore, there must be some substantial clearance topermit the lifting and inward movement of an extension into operativeposition, and these clearance spaces make it difficult, and more usuallyimpossible, to provide a rigid sup port for the extension.

An object of this invention is to provide a refectory table constructionwhich eliminates the stated objectionable features. An object is toprovide a refectory table in which the extension end or end sections arerigidly supported in exact alinement with the main tab-1e top and arelocked against accidental displacement. Further objects are to provide arefectory table having an extension top fixed to a pair of slides, and acam device mounted on the end frame of the table for forcing the slidesinto firm engagement with the lower surface of the main table top.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification when taken with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary central section through one end of a tableembodying the invention, the extension being shown in raised oroperative position;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the extension in positionbeneath the main table p;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sections taken on lines 44 and 5-5,respectively, of Hg. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, as seen from below, of one of theextension slides.

In the drawings, the reference numeral l identifies the main table topwhich is rigidly secured to a frame comprising side rails 2 and endrails 3, the top being spaced from the side rails by strips 4 to providespace for stowing the extension sec- Only one end of the table is shown,but it is to be understood that the illustrated construction may beduplicated at the opposite end of the table. The end rail 3 and across-rail 6 have alined pairs of slots l for receiving the downwardlyturned legs of angle bars 8 which constitute extension slides to whichthe top section 5 is secured by screws 9. Angle bar slides are preferredto wooden slides since they will not warp or shrink, and for the furtheradvantage that the guide slots i may be economically formed in the endsrails by a single saw cut. The inner ends IE! of the slides 8 are bentat right angles to form stops which engage the inner face of cross rail8 to limit the outward movement of the extension 5. Spring strips ii arewelded to the slides 8 near their inner ends, the strips being ofangular form and of such size and location as to engage the cross-rail 5to force the slides 8 into firm engagement with the lower face of themain top I when the end section 5 is fully extended.

The end section is supported in raised position by a cam device which,as shown, preferably takes the form of a rod 12 of wide inverted U-shapewhich is pivotally mounted on the inner face of end rail 3 by bracketsH3. The cam rod is actuated by a strap it which is slidably mounted onthe top section 5 by a bracket IS, the outer end of the strap beingturned down to form a handle it. The strap passes through an aperturedplate ii that is welded to the cam rod l2, and its inner end is bent toapproximately U-form. The outward leg l8 of the bent end is inclined toride upwardly upon the plate l? when the strap i4 is drawn out, thusforcing the inner leg i9 upwardly to engage the face of the plate ii.The inclined portion 18 will exert pressure against the cam rod E2 tobreak the clamping engagement when the handle I5 is pushed in, and, whenthe cam rod is turned somewhat from the position shown in Fig. l, thestrap l4 slides through plate IT. A bumper or guide strip 26 is fixed tothe main top I to deflect the strap i4 downward if it should tend toride over the'cross-rail ii. A recess 2! or other convenient means forgrasping the extension 5 is provided at the lower face of this topsection.

Assuming that the table is closed, as shown in Fig. 3, the extension 5is brought in position as a portion of the table top by drawing out theextension until the stops E0 of slides 8 engage the cross-rails 6. Thestrap I4 is moved outwardly to some extent by this operation, and slidesthrough the plate ll. This motion of the strap i4 is then continued bypulling upon the handle i5, thus carrying the strap end 89 intoengagement with plate ii and turning the cam rod l2 upwardly to forcethe slides 3 firmly against the lower face of the main top i. It is notnecessary to resort to a slight inward movement of the extension 5 tobring the top sections into close engagement as the extension 5 movessubstantially vertically when the cam rod [2 forces the slides upwardly.If desired, the edge of the main top may be undercut slightly and themeeting edge of the extension correspondingly shaped for closeengagement.

The extension is rigidly held in exact alinement with the main topsection. There is no possibility of an inadvertent collapse of theextension as the handle it must be deliberately forced inwardly by asubstantial amount before the inclined section I8 engages the cam rod E2to release the slides from clamped engagement with the top l.

Although the Wooden portions of the table may warp or shrink, it is notnecessary to provide special means to compensate for such changes. Asshown in Fig. 1, the brackets E3 of the cam rod are preferably sopositioned that the clamping engagement is obtained before the cam rodreaches vertical position. This provides some latitude for subsequentwarping or shrinking of the end rails and does not affect the securityof the locking of the extension 5 in raised position. The weight placedon the extension 5 has no tendency to release the cam rod l2, and thefrictional engagement of rod 5 2 and slides 3 prevents accidentalrelease of the cam rod.

It is to be noted that no damage will result if the handle it is drawnoutwardly when the table is closed. Such outward movement is limited byshoulders M on strap M, see Fig. 2,

and therefore the strap cannot be moved to such an extent as to bringthe end l9 into engagement with the cam rod I2, Fig. 3. It is thereforeimpossible to lock the extension in closed position.

While I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention, it is to beunderstood that many changes may be made in the design and relativelocation of the several parts without departing from the spirit of myinvention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a refectory table, a main top rigidly secured to and having an endportion spacedl above a frame, said frame including side rails and aslotted end rail, an extension normally positioned between said endsection and said frame, slides secured to said extension and extendingthrough the slots of said end rail to support said extension for slidingmovement into position to aline with said main top, a cam rod pivotallymounted upon said frame, and operating means carried by said extensionfor actuating said cam rod to engage both slides to clamp the sameagainst the lower face of said main top.

2. In a refectory table, a main top supported on a frame comprising siderails and an end rail, means spaced from the end rail and cooperatingtherewith to form slideways, a pair of slides in said slideways, anextension top secured to the outer ends of the slides, a rod of wide andinverted U-form pivoted on said frame for clamping said slides againstsaid main top, and means carried by said extension for actuating said.rod.

3. In a refectory table, a supporting structure for an extension top,said structure comprising a pair of slides for carrying the extension, acam rod of generally U-f'orm, means for pivotally supporting the ends ofsaid cam rod upon the end rail of the table to engage both of saidslides to force the same upwardly, and operating means for said cam rod.

4. In a refectory table, the combination with a main top secured to andhaving an end section spaced above a frame, and an extension top sectionnormally positioned between said main top and said frame, of slidessecured to said extension and guided by said frame, a cam rod having endportions pivoted upon said frame and a central portion movable into andout of position to clamp said slides against said main top, and meansoperable to move said cam rod into clamping position.

'5. A refectory table comprising a frame having side and end rails, atop secured to and having its end portions spaced above said frame, acrossrail spaced from one end rail, said cross-rail and adjacent endrail having alined slideways, a pair of slid-es movable in saidslideways, an extension top secured to the outer ends of said slides,spring means for forcing the inner ends of said slides against said topwhen said extension is drawn out, cam means on said frame for forcingthe intermediate portions of said slides against said top, and means forlongitudinal sliding movement mounted on said extension for operatingsaid cam means.

6. A table as claimed in claim 5, wherein said means is a cam rod ofwide and inverted U form, and means pivotally mounting said cam rod onthe end rail of the frame.

7. A refectory table of the type in which an extension is carried byslides mounted in the end rail of the table, and means for supportingthe extension in alinement with the main table top, characterized by thefact that said supporting means comprises a cam rod of approximately U-shape having its end portions pivotally mounted on the table frame, andmeans carried by said extension for actuating said cam rod to clamp saidslides against the main table top.

8. In a refectory table, a frame having side and end rails, a main top,an extension secured to slides movably mounted in an end rail, and meansfor clamping said slides to the main top when said extension is in outerposition; said means comprising a cam rod pivoted on said frame forengagement with both of said slides, and a strap slidably carried bysaid extension and having a bent inner end for engagement with said camrod.

9. A table as claimed in claim 8, wherein said clamping means includesan apertured plate secured to said cam rod, and said strap extendsthrough said apertured plate and has an inclined section adjacent saidbent inner end, said inclined section and bent end forming anapproximately U-shaped end section for fitting about said cam rod.

16. In a refectory table, a frame having side rails and an end rail, across rail spaced from the end rail, a main top secured to said siderails and spaced above the several rails, a pair of slideways comprisingalined saw kerf cuts extending downwardly from the upper surfaces ofsaid end and cross rails, metal angle bars having the vertical legsthereof positioned in the respective slideways and the horizontal legsthereof slidable upon the upper surfaces of the cross and end rails, theinner ends of the vertical legs being bent over to form stops, forengaging the cross rail to limit outward movement of the angle bars, atop extension secured to said angle bars, means on said frame to supportthe top extension at the level of the main top when the top extension ismoved outwardly for use, and springs secured to the horizontal legs ofthe angle bars adjacent the inner ends thereof for engagement with thetop surface of said cross rail to force the said inner ends of the anglebars towards the main top.

WILLIAM P. vow.

